Chelsea and Manchester United will battle it out once again, but this time off of the pitch for Anderlecht youngster Youri Tielemans, per Daily Express.
The Blues were defeated 2-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday by Man United, but will look to exact revenge by signing one of the best youth talents in Europe. Tielemans has been scouted by several top clubs since making his debut in the Belgian First Division A in August 2013 at the age of just 16.
Anderlect have since fought off many offers for the midfielder, now 19, but after a period of development and earning plenty of game time, the capital club may not be able to hold onto the Belgian international any longer.
Another Anderlecht talent
Anderlecht are no stranger to producing top-class talent, having seen the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Vincent Kompany and Cheikhou Kouyate move to the Premier League, while Argentine international Lucas Biglia and Sampdoria midfielder Dennis Praet have also played over 100 times for the club.
Now they face losing another youngster, as Tielemans’ growth as a player has seen him become too big to remain at the Brussels-based club. His ball control is exceptional, with the ability to take an opponent out of his path with a single touch, while he can pick out a teammate with great accuracy, having already notched 12 assists this season. But it is his range of shooting that has impressed admirers most, as the Belgian is capable of finding the corners of the goal from any angle, any distance and either foot, as seen by his two goals against Ostende in February.
Who will win the race?
Having played against some of the best clubs in Europe in the Champions League and Europa League, including Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Manchester United, it appears time for him to move to one of them, with the latter among the most interested parties.
Tielemans will not come cheap, with £25m price tag on his head, but this will not faze the Red Devils, having splashed out a world-record fee for Paul Pogba last summer.
With the likes Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pogba, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera, there will be competition for places for the Belgian youngster, but his versatility to play anywhere down the centre of the midfield will give manager Jose Mourinho the opportunity to rotate if need be, as well as having another exciting young talent at his disposal.
Where United could falter in their bid for Tielemans, and see Chelsea succeed, is the possibility of playing in the Champions League and under a coach who will take a chance if he impresses. Victor Moses has shone under Antonio Conte, while the Italian has also given playing time to Nathaniel Chalobah and Ola Aina. Marcus Rashford has struggled for a starting place at United this season under Mourinho, despite being a constant fixture at the end of the previous campaign.